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Currently, Sephtis, Lorenzo, Arwan, Victor, and I were sitting in the living room, a sense of awkwardness spreading between us all.
"Pop, sooo," Lorenzo started, smacking his lips together and crossing his arms, "Care to explain what exactly is going on here?"
I looked away, craning my head. But I soon wanted to turn it back as I saw Sephtis' sad face, likely due to the fact that I didn't alert Sephtis of Arwan and Victor, but also due to the fact that Arwan's trembling hand was in mine.
'Fuck, I just know Victor is going to rip me a new one!' was written all over Arwan's face…I felt bad…slightly. Which was why I was letting him hold my hand, but seeing Sephtis' face made me want to let go.
"My apologies, sir, I didn't mean to cause trouble for the other people living in this manor," Victor said, surprising me and making me snap my head at his direction in disbelief.
'That man knows how to apologize to people other than me?! I am left shookith!'
"Thank you for the apology, but that has yet to explain who you are and what your relationship to Sir Kallisto is," Lorenzo answered, relaxing a bit.
"Sir Kallisto?... Ah, I see. That is how you refer to his Lordship?" Victor asked, tilting his head. It had been a while since I'd ever seen Victor this puzzled; it usually only ever happened when he didn't understand a plan I had come up with.
"...Lordship?...Oh…I get it now, you two are his subordinates, and you came to check up on him? My apologies for the rudeness, I thought you were debt collectors or something!" Lorenzo admitted, laughing and clutching his stomach.
"Haha, it's no worries. It is only natural for one of our Lord's companions to be worried about him; that is true friendship, is it not?" Victor smiled, sneaking a telling glance at me.
'Eek! I just know he's getting madder at me by the minute! Sephtis, do something!' I thought to myself, looking at Sephtis with an expression that screamed "SOS!"
Unfortunately for me, though, Sephtis looked away with a look of contempt, and his cheeks puffed up in a pout. His tail wasn't wagging, and his ears were tilted downwards as he squeezed his hands together.
'Ugh, just kill me! I've already 'died' once before, what's the harm in it happening again?!'
"Well, other than that, it seems that this little mishap has been resolved! Lev, sorry for interrogating you and your subordinates like this; it was out of place for me," Lorenzo sighed, surprising me with the maturity.
I always took Lorenzo for the 'childish knight-captain' type who avoided responsibilities, but I had to cut him some slack. Often at times, he tends to be more like a 'fun dad' type instead, offering good advice and understanding.
"Hm? It is alright, I know you were just doing your part to ensure everyone else's safety, so don't worry about it!" I replied, giving Lorenzo a reassuring smile as I squeezed Arwan's hand and let go.
"HAHA! Thanks, man!" Lorenzo cheered, his shoulders moving up and down as he laughed, a smile on his face matching his mood.
"It's no biggie…say, why don't you two introduce yourselves to Sephtis and Lorenzo?" I added, turning to face Victor and Arwan, "Both of you will be hearing a lot more of them, so it's best to get familiar with each other while you still can!"
"...If that is what you wish, my liege, then I shall get acquainted with them as best I can!" Arwan smiled, standing and placing a palm on his chest.
"Y-You are quite formal, there is no need," Sephtis stammered, walking over and offering a hand, "My name is Sephtis, a student of Levs…it's a pleasure."
"My name is Arwan, and likewise. I work as His Lordship's personal guard, so any combat tips you want, feel free to ask," He offered, surprising me at his thoughtfulness.
"Thank you, I might take you up on the offer sometime!" Sephtis nodded, returning a smile.
Arwan surprised me; compared to when I'd last seen him, he's certainly grown. Before, he'd hardly smile at anyone other than me, and he seemed to get along better with Victor than he had before.
Thinking of that reminded me of my time in collaboration with General Vendetta, though I suppose I should refer to her as Lady Andronica instead. When I first had Arwan working for me, he would constantly but heads with Victor, but now they seem to share a mutual respect.
'Hmm, perhaps it was a good thing to leave those two to take care of the estate for a while. Who knows what their relationship would be like if they didn't have proper time to bond.'
"Suppose it is my turn then," Victor added, nodding and standing up, "My name is Victor Gwyneira, I am M'Lord's butler and his assistant. If you would like to know anything or need any help, please don't be afraid to ask."
I made me happy to hear that, not only his offer of assistance, but also the familiar way he called me "M'Lord." Hearing this made me realize that you truly don't miss the people you've come to know until you see them again after a long time of separation.
"It's nice to get to meet both of you finally, mt name is Lorenzo! I was the leader of an adventuring party, but due to some unfortunate events, they are no longer with us. His Lordship was gracious enough to offer me a place by his side till I get his revenge, so, if either of you also needs something, I would be more than happy to return the favor!"
I could tell he was teasing when he called me 'His Lordship,' but the way he said he was practically in my debt made me feel a sense of guilt, so I let it slide. I felt a pang of guilt for not being able to help save his sister in time, so taking care of him was the least I could do.
"Hehe, hearing all of you offer each other assistance and get along brightens my mood! Victor, Arwan, why don't you two stay for dinner?" I beamed, not yet wanting the two of them to leave, "There are still two others you have yet to meet."
'Nari is probably in the kitchen making herself some snacks to cheer herself up after feeling bad due to the trouble she caused, and who knows where Praxis is.'
"Thank you for the kind offer, Arwan, and I would be more than happy to accept," Victor agreed, a hidden bright smile in his eyes. He didn't want to visibly show it for fear of weakness, but Victor seemed truly happy to see me again.
"Great! Say, Sephtis, could you go make us some tea? And Lorenzo, don't worry about having to hover about, there are some matters I need to discuss with Arwan and Victor," I relayed, nodding to Sephtis as he left.
"Hm? Alright then. I'll be around, so call me if you need anything…Oh! And don't worry, I'll make sure to scold Nari for you!" Lorenzo joked, knowing I really didn't care about her outburst.
As Sephtis and Lorenzo left, the three of us sat in silence for a while. Victor sat down next to me on the couch, while instead of taking the same seat, Arwan sat in the chair diagonal to me.
"So…shall I turn on the fireplace?" Arwan offered, trying to find something to start a discussion, and noticing the relatively large fireplace in front of the couch.
"Go right ahead, it was starting to feel a little chilly in here either way," I replied, shifting my gaze away from Victor, who gave me a stare.
'What? I know you are staring at me because you want to continue scolding me, but you won't because Sephtis will come back soon and you don't want Nari crying again, so HA!'
"Haaa, no matter," Victor commented, turning away from me with an air of sadness, "I have no right to lecture you for how you spend your money, but you should be wary of where you send the bills."
"...Victor, is something the matter?" I asked, noticing his slight distance, "Usually, you would go all out on advising me and giving me proper instruction, but today you aren't. So what's up?"
"...It is nothing, please do not mind me, My Lord," He sighed, trying to close the topic. But he wouldn't because as soon as I heard a large snap, my gaze was directed to a pissed Arwan.
"Don't act like it's nothing, pompous blood sucker!" He snapped, surprising me as he quickly lit the fireplace with magic and bounded over to us, "You need to tell him now. I know you are weary because you don't want to worry his Lordship, but he needs to know so he can plan for it."
"Arwan? What do you mean? And watch your language, Victor is still your superior and senior," I lectured, taking a deep breath.
"Umm…Should I be hearing this?" Sephtis suddenly cut in, his eyebrow raised, head tilted, and one of his ears up, the other down.
"Ah, apologies, Sephtis. You are free to go. Please alert Praxis of our guests and make sure no one else comes over to the living room," I ordered, watching as Sephtis placed the tea in front of me, then nodded with a frown and left the room once again.
"...Well, it seems you have all you need to," Victor suddenly commented, "Lev, you should leave the Silversun Kingdom as soon as you can and come back to the Quare Kingdom."
"Huh? Why? Despite what you may think, my business is not finished here," I admitted, concerned as to why Victor would advise me this so early.
"My Liege, it's not about your business here, it's about something else…There's something you should know," Arwan said with a solemn expression, his frown as deep as I'd ever seen it.
"...What? You two are making me quite worried now, so if this is something serious, please just be straightforward with it," I instructed, pouring myself a cup of tea and taking a sip to ease my nerves.
Victor followed suit and let me take a few more before continuing where Arwan left off. If he was trying to halt saying it as much as he could, then it was likely something he thought of as detrimental to my mental state…at least to what I have observed of his actions.
"When Arwan and I were packing to come and speak with you about the accounting paper, we were given some news…some not-so-good news," Victor started, taking a deep breath before continuing, "We got a letter from Minister Lancelot Viarix saying that Llyr had left the kingdom…In search of you."
"...I already knew he would, this is of no news to me," I commented, feeling a bit angry at them souring my mood even further.
"Yes, but that's not the only thing," Arwan stated, bringing a letter from his pocket, "You should read this…According to His Majesty Roman, Duke Oryn Casillda found out about the forced engagement and proposed something that His Majesty is seriously considering."
I took the letter with shaking hands, nothing good ever came when the name "Oryn Casilda" was involved…when it came to me at least. The letter read as such:
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Good evening, Viscount Lev Andraste,
I hope this letter finds you well, though you might not be after reading this. Usually, I wouldn't send you a letter like this, but there are times when even I must personally write something to translate the severity of the situation properly.
As I have been made aware, due to the traditions of the Alkmene Kingdom, you have now been sort of forced into an engagement to King Lllyr de Vellamo. My sincerest sympathies for not being able to prevent such a thing, including your kidnapping. I tried to make it so my fool of a cousin never found out about such a thing, knowing how smitten he is with you.
Regrettably, before I realized it, Duke Casilda had spies planted in the palace, likely intended for social politics…at least before you came into the picture(not trying to place the blame on you in any way) He found out about said engagement to King Llyr, and proposed to me a countermeasure that not even I could help but consider, and I know you do not desire to even think of such a thing at the current moment.
But I can not put this on hold any longer, due to his constant pestering and blackmail. He has proposed to me the idea of marrying you to him, of course I wouldn't agree to such a thing without your consent, no matter how petty I am.
With great concern and sympathy, I hope you give this proper consideration.
Sincerely,
King Roman Von Fortunata
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'What in the Hellen of Sparta?!'